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DISCOHTIIJUANCE OP GRADE 
OF NOH-COmaSSIOKSD STAFF 
OFFICER 



DISCONTINUANCE OF GRADE OF POST NON 
COMMISSIONED STAFF OFFICER 



i 



HEARINGS 



BEFORE THE 



COMMITTEE ON MILITARY AFFAIRS 



HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 



ON 



H. R. 12827 



A BILL PROVIDING FOR THE DISOONTINUANCE OF THE GRADE 

OF POST NONCOMMISSIONED STAFF OFFICER ON THE 

ACTIVE LIST OF THE ARMY AND CREATING 

THE GRADE OF WARRANT OFFICER 

IN LIEU THEREOF 



WASHINGTON 

(JOVKRNAIEN'J- PRINTING OFFICE 

1932 



COMMITTEE ON MILITARY AFFAIRS. 
HorsE OF Representatives, Sixty-second Congress. 



.JAMES HAY, of Virginia, Chairman. 



.TAMES L. SLAYDEN, of Texas. ' 
S. H. DENT, Jr., of Alabama. 
.lOHN T. WATKINS, of Louisiana. 
MICHAEL F. CONRY, of New Y'oik. 
DUDLEY M. HUGHES, of Geor.£;ia. 
WILLL\M J. FIELDS, of Kentucky. 
DAVID J. LEWIS, of Maryland. 
EDWIN F. SWEET, of Michigan. 
THOMAS G. PATTEN, of New York. 
I. S. PEPPER, of Iowa. 
LYNDEN EVANS, of Illinois. 

Edwakd W. Caepbnter, Clerk. 

Jambs R. Baker, Assistant Clerk 
II 



JOHN M. HAMILTON, of West Virginia. 
K. D. McKBLLAR, of Tennessee. 
GEORGE W. PRINCE, of Illinois. 
JULIUS KAIIN, of California. 
JAMES F. BURKE, of Pennsylvania. 
THOMAS W. BRADLEY, of New York. 
DANIEL R. ANTHONY, Jr., of Kansas. 
JOHN Q. TILSON, of Connecticut. 
BUTLER AMES, of Mas.sachusetts. 
JAMES H. WICKERSHAM, of Alaska. 






■U.\i 



A\ 






DISCONTINUANCE OF GRADE OF POST NONCOMMISSIONED STAFF 

OFFICER. 



House of Representatives, 
Committee on Military Affairs, 

Wednesday, February 28, 1912. 
The committee being in session, Hon. James L. Slayden (acting 
chairman) presiding, a hearing was accorded on the bill (H. R. 
12827) providing for the discontinuance of the grade of post non- 
commissioned staff officer on the active list of the Army and creating 
the grade of warrant officer in lieu thereof, as follows : 

lie it enacted hij the Senate and House of Representatives of the United 
States of Ameriea in Congress assonbled. That from and after tlie passage of 
this act the grade of post uoncoiiiiuissioned staff officer, consisting of ordnance 
sergeant, post commissary sergeant, and post qnartermaster sergeant, be, and 
is herebj', discontinued on the active list of the Army and the grade of warrant 
officer created in lieu thereof, to be known as warrant assistants in their re- 
spective departments; that they be paid at the rate of one hundred dollars per 
month, with ten per centum increase for each five years of service in the Army, 
Navy, or Marine Corps until fortj- i)er centum has been attained, and ten per 
centum increase over their pay for foreign service; that they shall receive 
allowances as now provided for veterinarians. Cavalry and Field Artillery, and 
be placed on the retired list of the Army, with three-fourths of their pay and 
allowances, upon comitletion of thirty years' service: Provided. That service 
and double time earned as enlisted men be computed as such toward retirement: 
Provided further, That when a warrant officer becomes disabled for the per- 
formance of his duties by reason of disability contracted in the line of duty he 
shall be placed on the retired list of the Army with three-fourths of the pay 
and allowances he may be then receiving: Provided further. That all post 
noncommissioned staft' officei-s on the active list of the Army at the time of 
the passage of this act shall be immediately discharged and appointed to war- 
rant grade upon their acceptance thereof within thirty days from date of dis- 
charge, and that thereafter appointments shall be made from the enlisted men 
of tlie Army, under such rules and after such examinations as may be pre- 
scribed by the Secretary of War: Provided further. That all warrants issued 
under the provisions of this act shall continue in force unless the holder thereof 
shall become separated from the service by reason of the acceptance of his 
resignation or dismissal by sentence of a general court-martial approved by 
the President. 

STATEMENT OF MR. C. A. GWINN, OF WASHINGTON, D. C. 

Mr. Anthony. State to the committee briefly the object of this 
bill. 

^Ir. Gavinn. The object of the bill is to discontinue the grade of 
post noncommissioned staff officer on the active list of the Army and 
to establish in lieu thereof the grade of warrant officer, such as is 
now established in the Navy and is in operation in the Xavy with 
great success. It would give these warrant officers a pay of $100 
per month instead of the pay they are now receiving as post non- 
commissioned staff officers. 

3 



4 GRADE OF POST ^'OXCOMMISSIONED STAFF OFFICER. 

Mr. Slaydex. How much increase would that be? 

Mr. GwixN. It would be an actual increase of about $55. 

Mr. Slayden. For each per month? 

Mr. GwiNx. Yes, sir. AVhereas that looks as if it would cost the 
Government additional money and as though it would increase the 
appro]:)riation for the Army, that increase is only apparent. We 
believe that the statistics we have here will prove conclusively that 
it will not result in any real additional cost to the Government, but 
that, on the contrary, it is an economical measure. We believe, 
further, that our argument will show that this is something that 
should be established in the Army to increase the efficiency of the 
Army and to do justice to the enlisted men in the Army. Mr. An- 
thony asked me to state the purport of the bill. As I said, it would 
discontinue the grade of post noncommissioned staff officer on the 
active list and establish the grade of Avarrant officer in the Army. 
It would give them the title of warrant assistant in their respective 
departments. Of course if the present departments are continued, 
they Avoulcl simply be Avarrant assistants in these various depart- 
ments: but if these departments should be abolished and a supply 
corps established, then they would have whatever title Congress or 
the War Department conferred upon them. 

Mr. Bradley. Would it in any degree reduce the number of offi- 
cers ? 

Mr. GwiNK. It would increase the number of officers available for 
straight military duty. The commissioned officers who are trained 
to duty in the line and who certainly ought to be returned to duty 
in the line and be kept in the line as much as possible could return to 
their duties, which would obviate the necessity for increasing the 
number of commissioned officers. 

Mr. ANTHO^'Y. If this grade of warrant officer was created, these 
warrant officers would perform the duties which are now largely 
performed by active commissioned officers, and these active com- 
missioned officers could go back to the line? 

Mr. GwiNN. Yes, sir. 

Mr. Slayden. In other words, these duties that are now being 
performed by commissioned officers could be performed by these pro- 
posed warrant officers? 

Mr. GwiKN. Yes, sir; and without any disrespect to the commis- 
sioned officers. I believe the duties could be done fully as well, if not 
better, by these warrant officers. 

Mr. Slayden. Wh}'^ can they not do it as well now as orderly 
sergeants, etc.? 

Mr. GwiNX. Because, while they have the responsibility for the 
property of their departments, they are not given the prestige which 
carries accountability with it. They do not have the proper au- 
thority. While they are actually the heads of their respective de- 
partments, especially in small posts, the position is a subordinate one. 
7'he post noncommissioned staff officer is an expert and a specialist 
in his line, and he knows his work at the post better than anybody 
else does: yet he is held in a subordinate position, a position that was 
once considered a position of respect and honor in the old Army, 
but it has now sunk to the level of first sergeant of a company. The 
positi(m of post noncommissifmed staff' officer was established for the 
purpose of preserving the Government's property better than it had 



GRADE OF POST NONCOMMISSIONED STAFF OFFICER. 5 

been preserved in the past. My statement here shows the require- 
ments for these positions. 

Mr. Slayden. Suppose you give that statement to the stenogra- 
pher, and Ave Avill read it. 

Mr. GwiNN. I submit these examination papers, which show the 
requirements for the position of post commissary sergeant. 

The examination papers referred to are as follows : 

KXAMINATTON FOR PoST COMMISSARY SKlUaCANT. FkHKUAKY. 1911. 
ARITHMETIC. 

1. Add 8,463i and 792* aud 1,391?. Subtract S,2413 from f)9.4S3/,. Multiply 
4.T2Sf by 246i. Divide 96.422* bv 14*. 

2. Add $6.348.7r) and $904.5 and .$4.793.12.1. Subtract .$47,268.72,5 — $8,034.25. 
Multiply 8,463.75 by 231.5. Divide 59.378.48 by 31.2. 

3. A buys 8,094A pounds of beef at 9.035 cents per pound ; 30.742 pounds of 
potatoes, at 1^ cents per pound; and S.7W* pounds of onions, at 2^ cents per 
pound. What is the total amount of the purchase? 

4. B sells 3 gross boxes of matches, at 0.942 cent per box ; 349i pounds of 
ham, at 16,725 cents per pound; and 8 dozen clothespins, at 0.014 cent each. 
What is the total amount of the sale? 

5. A conunissjiry buys 7.53,000 pounds of potatoes to store in a root house: 
each sack vi-eighs 1.50 ]iounds ; sacks are to be i»laced on ends in one layer: 
each sack covers 1.56 square inches, including space for ventilation. Plow many 
square feet of floor space must the commissary have to stores those potatoes? 

6. If 40 bai-rels of flour will supply 200 men for 9 weeks, how many barrels 
will supply 750 men for 23 days? 

7. If a quantity of provisions will supply a garrison of 90 men for 125 days, 
how long will 3 times the same amount of provisions supply 150 men? 

8. A commissary owes $450 for beef, which is 20 per cent of the total amoimt 
he has to his credit. What is his total ci'edit? 

9. If 4^ pounds of butter costs $1.60. what will 181 pounds cost? 

10. Give table of dry measure, liquid measuiv, avoii'dupois. 

HISTORY. 

1. Name the nations by which the territory of tlie United States was explored 
and state what portion was explored by each. 

2. In what wars were the following battles fought, and by whom won ; 
lamdy's Lane, Cold Harbor. Brandywine. Stonypoint. Buena Vista. Chesape:<ke. 
and Shannon? 

3. Name three of the framers of the Constitution and how the Constitution 
may be amended. 

4. What were the principal political parties in 1860 and who were their 
candidates? 

5. What was the Louisiana Purchase, and when made? 

GEOGRAPHY'. 

1. Name the principal islands of the Philippine group, in order, from ncu'th 
to south. 

2. Where are the Samoan Islands, and by whom owned? 

3. State the principal town and rivers of Alaska. 

4. Xanie the territorial deiiartments in tb.e United Stales and the Philippine 
division. 

5. Name the principal waters through which one would pass in ;i trip by 
water from Philadelphia to Chicago. 

6. Give the population of the United States. 

7. Name the principal tributaries of the Mississippi River. 

8. Name the principal islands of the West Indian group. 

9. Name five principal seaports of the United States. 

10. Where are the Hawaiian Islands? Name the capital and principal city. 



6 GRADE OF POST NONCOMMISSIONED STAFF OFFICER. 

ORTHOGRAPHY. 

Twenty words given. 

ARMY RKtilLATIONS. 

1. When is iiii enlisted niiin detailed on extra duty entitled to receive extra- 
duty pay, and what are (he rates of extra-duty payV 

2. How does the post bakery obtain flour for the baldnj,' of bread, and at 
what price may it sell bread V 

3. What is the salute to the Union, and when is it given? 

4. What are open-market purchases, iind when are they authorized? 

5. When two officers have funds in the same depositary, how should one go 
about it to transfer funds to the other? 

6. How is property classified with regard to its disposition, and how is it dis- 
posed of? 

7. What is a ration, and who is entitled to a ration? 

8. Give the component articles and quantities of the haversack ration. 

9. When a soldier loses his furlough, what steps must be taken in order to 
secure him his commutation? 

10. Under what conditions are civilians allowed to purchase from the com- 
missary? 

SUBSISTENCE MANUAL. 

1. What inspection of .storehouse is prescribed for conmiissaries and for what 
purposes? 

2. In the field, from whom does a regimental commissary receive the rations 
for his regiment, and how does he issue them? 

3. What arms and equipment are prescribed for a post-conuuissary sergeant?. 

4. What precautionary measures ai-e prescribed for the caretaking of check 
books ? 

5. What exceptional articles are authorized, and under what conditions may 
they be purchased? 

6. What are the names of the different rations, and when are they used? 

7. How is the carcass of a bull distinguished: that of a cow? 

S. Describe the manner in which commutation on a furlough covering two 
fiscal years be paid when the commissary only lias money pertaining to one 
fiscal year. 

9. What is a sim])le method of protecting fiour in sacks from the ravages of 
mice? 

10. How do organizations obtain field ranges, and what is prescribed as to 
the care of same? 

Make out money and property papers: Return of stores. Abstract of issues. 
Ration and sjivings account. Advertisement and proposal. Abstract of pur- 
chase. Vouchers for service not personal. Voucher for personal services. Ac- 
count current. Abstract of disbursements. Absti-act of sales. 

Receive a shipment of goods, and sell SO per cent of each article. 

Issue rations to a company of Infantry. 

Receive invoice of funds. .$4,000. 

Buy beef, potatoes, onions, and ice in vicinity of post, and pay commutation 
on a furlough and travel order. 

Pay for beef, potatoes, onions, and ice by check. Savings and commutation 
by cash. 

Mr. GwiNN. I have marked certain paragraphs from the report of 
the Secretary of War for 1907. Mr. Taft, now President, was then 
the Secretary of War, and he submitted in his report very conchisive 
argimients why the grade of warrant officer should be established. 

Mr. Anthony. In brief, if the grade of warrant officer should be 
established. I believe, according to the statement you have prepared 
there, that it would result in the return of 240 commissioned officers 
to their active duties? 

Mr. GwiNN. Yes, sir. 

Mr. Anthony. And, as I understand it, you figure in your state- 
ment there that it would cost the Governinent apparently $300,000 
per year more? 

jNIr. GwiNN. I Avill reduce those figures to $240,000. 



GRADE OF POST NONCOMMISSIONED STAFF OFFICER. 7 

Mr. Anthony. And, as I understand it, you have figures to show- 
that it will result in economy for the Government and a substantial 
saving of half a million dollars? 

Mr. GwiNN. Yes, sir, 

Mr. Slayden. Is that predicated upon the idea of decreasing the 
number of commissioned oflicers? 

Mr. Gavinn. No, sir; not on the idea of decreasing the number of 
commissioned officers, but to relieve them from certain staff duties. 

Mr. Slayden. I do not understand how by increasing the pay and 
not decreasing the number of officers it is possible to effect a saving. 

Mr. Gavinn. "We have a detailed statement here, and it is not very 
apparent until it is considered. 

Mr. Bradley. Is it due to the fact that 240 officers will become 
available for their line duties? 

Mr.. Gavinn. Yes, sir; that is one thing. Then the commissioned 
officer Avhen detailed as commissary officer draws $100 a year for that 
special duty in addition to pay of a commissioned officer. .Now, all 
that moncA' Avould be saved to the GoA'ernment, because it would not 
be necessary to detail these officers to that duty. 

Mr. Gavinn. I submit to the committee a statement of the in- 
creased cost of warrant officers over post noncommissioned staff. 
This is computed on a basis of 18 years' service, which is about the 
aA^erage length of serA'ice of post noncommissioned staff officers : 

Pay of warrant officer $100.00 

Increase pay for 18 years' service 30.00 

Yearly allowance of fuel — 24.0.5 tons anthracite coal, at $7. 1.5= $176.25 ; 

that, diviclecl by 12, gives 14.69 

Yearly allowance of electricity— 416 kilowatts, at .022=$9.15: that, 

divideil by 12, gives .76 

Total 145.45 

Pay of post noncommissioned staff officer of 18 years' service 45.00 

Increase of pay for 18 years' service 24.00 

Clothing allowance 2. 88 

Ration allowance 7. 00 

Travel allowances on discharge every 3 years, at an average of 

$72 each time, makes .$2 per month for each month of the 36 months 

in the enlistment 2.00 

Yearly allowance of fuel — 10.2 tons anthracite coal, at $7.15=.$72.93 ; 

that, divided by 12. gives : 6.08 

Y'early allowance of electricity— 206 kilowatts, at .022=$4.58; that, 

divided by 12, gives .38 

Total 87.34 

Total pay of warrant officer 145.45 

Total pay of post noncommissioned staff officer of 18 years' service 87.34 

Increased cost per month 58. 11 

If desired on a yearh' basis, multiply by 12. 

No effort is made to compute the difference in cost of quarters, be- 
cause there are no available data : but the difference betAveen the quar- 
ters of the post noncommisioned staff and those that will be fur- 
nished Avarrant officers Avill be A'ery little, so small as to make no ap- 
preciable difference in cost. 

Mr. Slayden. Has this bill been sent to the War Department? 

Mr. Anthony. I do not know. 



8 GRADE OF POST NO^^COAIMISSIONED STAFF OFFICER. 

You stated, I believe, that thi>. propo.-ition has been favorably 
recommended heretofore by the War Department officials? 

Mr. GwiNN. Last year a bill was introduced in the Senate, and 
the bill was referred to the War Department. The War Depart- 
ment, as I understand it. recommended or reported that the bill was 
a meritorious one: that they considered it a meritorious measure, 
but- they stated that they had other bills before Congress and other 
legislation Avhich they i)referred to urge. 

Now, I have stated the pay and the change of title. The allowances 
we have provided in this bill would be the allowances provided for 
veterinarians in the Cavalry and Field Artillery now in effect, and 
those are the alloM'ances of a second lieutenant. I have also a state- 
ment, Avhich I will submit, to sh<nv exactly what the present post 
n(mcommissioned staff officer draw.-. <-ounting in all his allowances, 
and what he would draw as a warrant officer. 

Mr. Slaydex. If you have that wiitten out, hand it to the stenog- 
rapher for insertion in the record. 

Mr. (tavix. Yes, sir. The other features of the bill are simply 
based upon the present law relating to enlisted men. These things 
are simplj^ predicated upon the present laws, and, of course, any 
change in the law, which we can not foresee, would necessarily aifect 
that grade. Now, we have not asked for ami:hing unreasonable in 
this bill, especially in view of the fact that the warrant officers in 
the Navy, who perform duties not nearly so important or respon- 
sible, draw^ a much larger pay than we are asking for in behalf of 
these men if they are made warrant officers. The warrant officers 
of the Navy draw pay running from $1,800 to $2,500 a year, and these 
men now get only $45 per month and perform more important 
service. We ask for them $1,200 per year and the allowances of the 
lowest commissioned officer. 

I am satisfied that if each member of this committee carefully 
considers the provisions of this bill (H. R. 12827) and the needs of 
the service the committee will be convinced of the necessity and 
justice of the measure, and a favorable report will follow. 

We have unbounded confidence in the merits of the measure we 
are advocating, knowing that it is a iiieritorious one. and will result 
in increased efficiency in the administration of the affairs of the 
Ordnance, Quarternuister's. and Commissary Departments of the 
Army, at the same time decreasing the cost of such administration. 
If we are unable to convince this committee that tliese things are 
true, it will be because of our inability to properlj^ present the matter 
for your consideration, and not through lack of merit in the measure 
itself. 

The post noncommissioned staff of tlie Army, as at present consti- 
tuted, consists of ordnance, post commissary, and post quartermaster 
sergeants. They are appointed by the Secretary of War. after due 
examination, as follows: Ordnance sergeants from sergeants of the 
line who have served at least eight years in the Army, including four 
3^ears as noncommissioned officers, and who are less than 45 years of 
age: post commissary sergeants from sergeants of the line who have 
served at least five years in the Army, including three years as non- 
commissioned officers; post quartermaster sergeants from the most 
competent enlisted men of the Army who have served at least four 
years. (Army Regulations 93, amended l\v General Orders. No. 232 



GRADE OF POST NONCOMMISSIONED STAFF OFFICER. 9 

Nov. 17. 1909.) The total number of members of the po.-^t non- 
commissioned staff of the Army on the active list at the present time 
is approximately 550. 

Gknkral Orditrs. ) War Di'.paktmkxt. 

No. 232. ( \Viif<liiii(/lon. Novcmhcr .11. }i)OU. 

I. Pai-agraphs 93, 94, and 9.5. Army Regulations. ai\' aineiulcd m read as 
follows: 

0.".. The post noncoinmissioned staff consists of ordnance, pf>st eonnnissary, 
and post qnarterniaster sergeants. They are ajjpointed liy the Sivretai'y of 
AVar. after due examin.-ition. as follows: Ordnance sergeants from sergeants of 
the line who have served at least eight years in the Army, including four years 
as noncommissioned officers, and who are less than 4.5 years of age: i)ost com- 
missary sergeants from sergeants of the line who have served tive years in ttie 
Army, including three years as nonconnnissioned officers; post quartermaster 
sergeants from the most com])etent enlisted men of the Ai-my who have served 
at least four years. 
[1582i.>]l, A. G. 0.1 

94. An application for appointment to the post noneomniissioned staff must 
be iu the handwriting of the applicant and will state briefly the length and 
nature of his military service, and for what time and in what organizatifms he 
has served as a private and as a noncommissioned officer. The immediate com- 
manding officer will indorse (hereon a statement as to the character, intelligence, 
and fitness of the applicant. The application so indorsed will be submitted to 
the I'egimental or artillery district commander or other proper connnanding 
offieer, who will forward the same, with his remarks as to the merits of the 
applicant, to the Adjutant Getieral of the Army. 

[1582^11, A. G. C] 
M."). While the law contemplates in these appointments the better preservation 
of j)ublic property at the several posts, there is also a further consideration — 
that of offering a reward to faitlifnl and well-tried enlisted men eligible for 
appointment, thus giving encouragement to deserving soldiers to ho]>e for sub- 
stantial promotion. Commanding officers can not be too particular in investi- 
gating and reporting upon the character and qualifications of apiilicants. 

[1.582211. A. <;. o.] 

II. Paragraph 3, General Orders, No. 43. War Department. .March It). 1909, 
relating to the examination of applicants for ap])ointment as post noncommis- 
sioned staff officers, is amended to read as follows: 

3. On December 1 of each year the C-'hief or Ordnance, the ("ommissary Gen- 
eral, and the Quartermaster General will each send sets of examination papers, 
prepared in his office, to The Adjutant General of tiie Army, requesting trans- 
mission, under seal, to the proper commanding officer of one set for each 
soldier, who may have applied for examination during the i)receding 12 months, 
with instructions to have the examination held on February 1, in the jiresence 
of an officer, and the papers forwarded through military channels to the 
Adjutant General of the Army, who will transnnt them to the proper chief of 
bureau. Should more than one examination be found necessary in any year 
it will be similarly conducted upon the request of the proper cliief of biu'eau. 
[1.582211. A. <;. <\1 

r.y order of the Secretary of War : 

.7. FUANKt-IX PiKI.I.. 

Mtiior (Iciural, Chief of Staff. 
Official : 

Hen'rv p. McCain. Adjutant (loicnil. 

Post noncommissioned staff officers are assigned lo duly as assist- 
ants to the officers of their resi)ecti\o departments, and their detail 
to other duties, except when the necessities of the service require, is 
prohibited by AiTny Keofulatioris (A. E. 97, 1908). Anion^ the du- 
ties performed by miMubers of the i)ost noncommissioned staff, they 
arc recjuired to receive, preserve, issue, and account for all the prop- 
erty pertaining to their respective departments and disbur.se and ac- 
count for funds, under the direction of the commissioned officers as- 



10 GRADE OF POST NONCOMMISSIONED STAFF OFFIOEE. 

signed to duty in said departments. They are also required to pre- 
pare all reports and returns pertaining to their departments, and are 
held strictly accountable for their proper and accurate preparation. 
They are responsible in the aggregate for over $500,000,000 worth 
of Government property and the proper expenditure of a large per- 
centage of the annual appi'opriations made by Congress for the main- 
tenance of the Army. While they are not held accountable for Gov- 
ernment property except at ungarrisoned posts, they are always held 
strictly responsible, not only by their superior officers but by the 
War Department, for the proper care and distribution of such prop- 
erty (A. R. 98, 1908). Furthermore, they are the only enlisted men 
in the Army ever made accountable for Government property under 
any circumstances. Of course the commissioned officers assigned to 
duty in the several staif departments — that is to say, the Ordnance. 
Quartermaster's, and Commissary Departments — are nominally in 
charge of the work of those departments. They sign all requisi- 
tions, invoices, property returns, etc., but it is the noncommissioned 
staff officer of the department who is required to supervise and at- 
tend to all the intricate details connected with the operations of the 
department with which he serves. He is required to prepare all 
requisitions, vouchers, returns of property, etc., for the signature of 
his superior officer and see that rations and stores are properly issued 
and accounted for; also that disbursements of funds are properly 
made in accordance with the law and regulations. He is required to 
possess a thorough knoAvledge of the regulations pertaining to his 
department, and it is upon his knoAvledge that the head of his de- 
partment and the commander of his post relies for the proper con- 
duct of the department to which he is attached. It is natural that he 
should be more familiar with the details of his department than 
Avoulcl be the young commissioned officer temporarily assigned to the 
department and untrained in the details of its operation. 

The post noncommissioned staff officer is a specialist in his par- 
ticular line and devotes his whole time and attention to it, Avhile the 
commissioned officer under whom he serves is purely a military man, 
trained for purely military service, and it is apparent that the effi- 
cienc}^ of the service- would be increased if, in the smaller posts at 
least, the commissioned officer was returned to the line to perform the 
service for which he was trained, for which he is employed or com- 
missioned, and the work of these supply departments turned over to 
the experts who now actually ])erform the work of the dei^artments 
and draw less than one-third the pa}'^ of the junior subaltern detailed 
for duty in the supply de])artments. The tendency toAvard increased 
efficiency and practical economy by such a step is too obvious to re- 
quire further argument. Since the post noncommissioned staff officer 
noAv performs the actual Avork of the department to which he is at- 
tached, is absolutely responsible for the proper administration of his 
department, and charged with a full and complete knowledge of all 
the laws and regulations pertaining to his department, Avhy should 
he not be rewarded as he deserves by bestoAving upon him rank con- 
sistent with his position and duties, and compensation commensurate 
Avith the serA'ices he performs? This is a question of justice as Avell 
as military expediency. 

I ask the committee to remember this fact : That the post noncom- 
missioned staff officer of the Arm}^ is charged with far greater re- 



GRADE OF POST NONCOMMISSIONED STAFF OFFICEE. 11 

sponsibilities and performs far more important services to the Gov- 
ernment than the men in similar positions in the United States Navy, 
who have been advanced to the warrant grade and receive salaries 
rmming from $1,800 to $2,500 per annum, while the post noncommis- 
sioned staif officer receives only a meager $45 per month, with an or- 
dinary enlisted man's alloAvances. Why should we make fish of one 
and foAvl of the other? Wh}' not make service as attractive to en- 
listed men in the Armj'^ as it has already been made to such men in 
the NaAy ? There is no reason known why enlisted men in the Army 
should not be given equal advantages and opportunities with en- 
listed men in the Navy, but they are not, as can be readily seen by 
reference to the Annual Report for the Secretary of War for 1907, 
on pages 73, 74, and 75 of which are found tables setting forth 
in contrast the status of enlisted men in the Navy and enlisted men 
in the Army. I call attention particularly at this time to para- 
graphs 13 and 14 at the bottom of page 74, showing the comparison 
with relation to the Avarrant grade, which I will read and request 
that they be printed in the record at this point. 

13. As a rewiird for Jonji :'iiid faith- 18. There are no rewards throujih 
ful service, 10 mates are annually ap- promotion for long and faithful serv- 
pointed from ihe enlisted men. Mates ice in the Arniy. There Is only re- 
usually receive special assignments to tirement after 30 years. 

duty at shore stations. 

14. Enlisted men who serve continn- 14. 'J'here is no such ^u'rade as war- 
ouslj- and reach the grad( of chief raut officer in the Army. Men of long 
petty officer or petty officer, first class, and meritorious service can not be 
are eligible for appointuieut as war- promoted beyond the nonconmiissioned 
rant officn^rs. The pay of a warrant grades. 

officer is 'from .$1,200 to .$1,800 a year 
and allowances, and he retires at 02 
years of age on three-fourths i)ay. 
Men may reach the grade of warrant 
officer in several other ways. Warrant 
officers are promoted to chief warrant 
officers, with the rank of ensign, after 
six years' service. 

Appointments to the post noncommissioned staff of the Army 
have always been regarded as rewards for faithful and efficient 
service in the line of the Army. Besides, the positions are generally 
considered the most important filled by any enlisted men, and such 
as only reliable and well-qualified soldiers are capable of filling. It 
is stated in the Army Regulations that — 

While the law contemplates in these appointments the better preservation 
of public property at the several posts, there is also a further consideration — 
that of offering a reward to faithful and well-tried enlisted men eligible for 
ap]iointnient. thus giving eucouiagcment to deserving soldiers to hope for sub- 
stantial ])romotion. Commanding officers can not be too particular in investi- 
gating and reporting upon the character and qualifications of applicants. 

I desire to say, gentlemen of the committee, that whatevei'- hope 
the grade of post noncommissioned staff officer may hold out to 
" faithful and well-tried enlisted men eligible for appointment," the 
hope is not strong enough to secure and retain the most desirable 
class of young men for the service. The promotion means too little. 

To jjromote efficiency in the service to the highest possible degree 
it is generally conceded by military authorities and others well in- 
formed that we should endeavor to procure the best possible type of 



12 GEADE OF POST NONCOMMISSIONED STAFF OFFICER. 

young men to enter the service in the enlisted grades and retain in 
the service those who prove the most efficient. To do this we should 
be able to hold out to them opportunity for substantial advancement. 
The Army at present offers no such opportunity, except an enlisted 
man be qualified for a commission. Commissions, however, are 
hard to get, requiring a high degree of education and an education 
of such a nature that it does not necessarily make the possessor more 
valuable for the duties required of the post noncommissioned staff 
officer than would a common-school education combined with a 
proper training for the work. Besides, the age limit for applicants 
for commissions is so low that it precludes advancement to that grade 
of the most efficient and experienced of the post noncommissioned 
staff officers. 

Our Army is a volunteer arm3\ and American citizens are not or- 
dinarily required to take service in it unless they desire. In times 
of war. when men's passions are stirred and their love of country 
aroused, many men enlist in the Army through patriotic motives, but 
in times of jDeace the majority of men entering the service do so 
through self-interest. This fact being known, it necessarily follows 
that if the inducements offered are increased a larger number of men 
Avill apply for enlistment and more discrimination can be used in 
selecting men for the military service. Furthermore, desirable and 
efficient noncommissioned officers, instead of leaving the service, as 
the majority now do, at the close of their first enlistment, would 
prefer to remain, with a view to eventually reaching a position of 
increased dignity and comj^ensation. There can be no doubt but this 
would materially increase the efficiency of the service. Besides, the 
Army being in competition with private pursuits, the pay and allow- 
ances must nearly approximate those of similar positions in civil 
life if it is desired to obtain efficient men to fill the grades requiring 
skill and intelligence. The work of post noncommissioned staff 
officers of the Army is skilled work and work of great importance. 
It surely a])pears the part of wisdom for the Government to offer 
inducements such as will secure and retain qualified men to fill their 
])ositions. 

President Taft. while Seci'etary of War. sulnnitted in luis annual 
report for 1007 a strong argument for the establisliment of the war- 
rant grade in the Anuy. This grade, if established, the report 
claims, should be open to post nonconunissioned staff officers. 

In the report referred to it was maintained that the present oppor- 
tunities for advancement mean too little to the enlisted man, and 
that the grade of Avorrant officer should be established in the Army to 
provide a means for advancing and rcAvarding- faithful and efficient 
soldiers. I will read from images 08, 09, 100, 101, and 102 of that re- 
port and request that the paragraphs read be made a part of this 
record : 

COMMISSIONS NOT AN INDUCEMENT. 

The w;iy is open now fol- the advanceinent of the enlistod mun not only 
through tiie nonconunissioned grades, but to the highest coinniissioned rank. 
The number of conmiissioued vacancies permit, of course, eompiiratively few 
men to be rewnrdeil in this way. :Moreover. present conditions of appointment 
do not permit tliis to l)e used as a method of rewarding long and faithful service 
in the ranks, and it is tlierefnre in no sense an inducement to make the service 
a life occupation in the lower grades. 



GRADE OF POST NONCOMMISSIONED STAFF OFFICER. 13 

A NEW GRADK PROPOSED. 

So urgently lias this been felt, indeed, tbat it nas been seriously proposed in 
more than one instance to alter existing customs in such manner as to permit 
the appointnuMU to the lower (-(munissioned grades of noncomuiissioned oUicers 
whose long and excellent service has put them l>cyond possibility of suitable 
reward through promotion in the nonconmiissioned grades. So many objections 
exist to this, however, that it would be certain only to result in worse evils 
than those it seeks to remedy ; but it seems possible, without this danger, a new 
grade could be created wherein, by ajipointment. such service could be rewarded 
ami these men still kept in a line of work with which by long practice they 
have become familiar and in which their g)-eatest value to the Army lies. Such 
a grade would fall between the noncnnmiissioned and the commissioned oflicers 
It would not be an ex])eriment in arnnes. since it exists already with the 
British, whose system is the only important one allied closely to ours; and it 
would not be an experiment in our service, since it is already in successful 
operation in the Navy. 1'his is the grade of warrant officer. Many excellent 
reasons may be adduced for its creation. Nothing is known to be urged against 
it. Finally, once the ranks were full in the noncommissioned grades, both 
efficiency of the .service and opportunities for advancement must depend upon 
vacancies in those grades occurring 1 hereafter. Natural casualties would jirob- 
ably be insutiicient for either puipose. and some suitable system of retirement 
is necessary to accomi»lish both. Ihiving in view, then, the main ]mr])ose of 
inducing men to make of the Army a life work, increa.sed oiiporuinities for ad- 
vancement may be considered under [a) the noncommissioned grades; yb) war- 
rant officers; (c) commissioned gr.-ides; and ((/) retirement. 

THK NONCOMMISSIONED GR.\DES PRESENT OPPORTUNITIES MEAN TOO LITTLE. 

The possibility of every enlisted man of good character and of even moderate 
intelligence reaching noncommissioned grade not later than his second enlist- 
ment, and probably, under present conditions, during his first, is assured. But 
such assurance marks decline, not growth. It is plain that this reward is not 
sufficient to tempt men to remain in the service, else vacancies could not so 
frequently occur. The capable man is not willing to assume the additional 
responsibilities incident to noncommissioned rank for the insignificant increases 
in pay. There is nothing beyond pay. He has neither greater dignity nor more 
privileges. He is still the common soldier, no different from the men from 
whom he is chosen, and commanding no more respect. 

PAY IS THE FOUNDATION OF ANY CHANGE. 

A change in the schedule of pay corresponding to that set forth herein would, 
it is thought, form the foundation of a complete change in this regard. The 
difference in pay between the private and noncommissioned officer would then 
be real. It would constitute a reward that, compared even with those obtain- 
able in civil life, would make these positions worth the effort to secure and 
to retain. 

MOKE THAN PAY ESSENTIAL, 

But pay is not all. Increased privileges, allowances, and dignity may be 
counted upon as much as pay to make these grades sought by men who are 
capable of filling them. There is no danger in such a course. The man who 
undertakes to devote his life to this line of work is entitled for his faithful- 
ness to a higher degree of respect than the apprentice whose mind is still 
unmade. The man whose ability raises him above his fellows and whose force 
gives him natural control over them may l)e wisely trusted to control hhnself. 
Increased respect yielded from those above and required from those below will 
only increase his respect for himself and his pride in his work. It is this self- 
respect and this pride that are now so sadly lacking and that make the non- 
commissioned grade one whose responsibilities many men are glad to avoid. 
The details of this status for noncommissioned officers have already been indi- 
cated. Besides increase in pay they comprise separate quarters and messi'ooms 
and distinct privileges. For most of them only executive authority is neces- 
sary, but increased pay, which lies with Congress, is the only foundation ii])on 
which the others may gradually be established. 



14 GRADE OF POST XU:XC0MM1SSI0X£D STAFF OFFICEE. 

WHAT THE GRADE WOULD ACCOMPLISH. 

The creation of this grade would accomplish several results: 

First. It would serve as an incentive to good conduct and continuous service. 

Second. It would attract a higher class of men into the service and assist in 
retaining them. 

Third. It would continue men appointed to the grade in a line of work for 
which they were best fitted and of most value to the Government. 

Fourth. It would serve as a reward for long ;nid meritorious service. 

Fifth. It would form a class of the same grade and the same qualities, who 
would naturally find therein the social relations to which their life had in- 
clined them. 

WHAT COMMISSIONS DO NOT ATTAIN. 

None of these, it is to be noted, is to be attained through appointment to 
commissioned grades under existing customs, and only part could be attained 
even by throwing open, as has been proposed, the lower commissioned grades to 
the appointment of noncommissioned oflicers of long service. The grade of 
warrant officer, on the contrary, would satisfy every necessity urged in sup- 
port of the latter project, while avoiding the evils certain to result from its 
adoption. The place of the warrant officer, officially and socially, would be one 
of dignity, yet one to which by training he would be equal, and in which in no 
sense he could be considered an intruder. More than all, the Government would 
be assured of competent men in these positions of steadily growing importance. 

THE ARGUMENT OF OTHER ARMIES. 

That possibly only one other army has this grade is no argument against 
its creation here. That Great Britain, whose system corresponds so closely 
to ours, has found it both necessary and useful is, on the other hand, argu- 
ment for its adopMon with us. Moreover, a similar grade under different 
names may be found even in nations with different systems. Thus Japan has 
the grade of special sergeant major, to which is attached higher pay than 
received even by commissioned subalterns. That it is unnecessary in the mili- 
tary powers of Europe indicates only the difference in the social sys'ems of the 
different countries. With them class dis inctions are so clearly marked and 
military service so Imixtrtant a feature of the nationul life that it is possible 
to find men with the requisite qualities for these positions nmong a class that 
reaches its natural level in the status of the noncommissioned grades. This is 
manifestly an impossibility in the I^'nited States. With us there is a place in 
the Army no less than in the Na\ y for this grade of warrant officer. 

The foregoing arguments are conclusive and worthy of careful 
consideration. They describe the necessity for the warrant grade in 
the Army far better than I can hope to describe it. I trust they will 
be carefully examined by the gentlemen of the committee. 

In conclusion I beg to call attention to the fact that almost with- 
out exception the post noncommissioned staff officers of the Army 
are old, well-tried, and reliable soldiers, with a highly developed sense 
of duty and responsibility. This is the result of the fact that they 
are carefully chosen from among the enlisted men of the Army and 
required to pass a difficult examination prior to appointment. I 
submit herewith a set of questions used at a recent examination of 
applicants for the position of post commissary sergeant, that the 
committee might judge the nature of the examination which they are 
required to pass. These men. are highly deserving of the reward 
which would be theirs if this bill should be enacted into law, and 
we are satisfied that they can be so rewarded without increasing the 
cost of the military establishment, and in rewarding them by advanc- 
ing them to the warrant grade Congress would thereby material!}^ 
increase the efficiency of the Army. 



GRADE OF POST NONCOMMISSIONED STAFF OFFICER. 15 

We submit this matter to this committee, confidently feeling that 
it will receive at the committee's hands the careful attention it de- 
serves and that through the report of this committee on the measure 
substantial justice will be done to this deserving class of enlisted 
men and to the Army as a whole. 

STATEMENT OF COL. JOSEPH SMOLINSKI, OF WASHINGTON, D. C. 

Gentlemen of the House Committee on Military Affairs, the organ- 
ization of an army is the arranging into well-defined units, tactical 
and administrative, the different arms and branches of the militarj^ 
forces in order to facilitate not only discipline and training, but to 
promote the efficiency of the military establishment. 

The founders of our Republic and the originators of its organic 
laws, unable to encompass at the time the exigencies that have 
arisen in the progressive evolution of our Nation on lines of eco- 
nomic, commercial, and industrial development and territorial 
acquisitions, bequeathed to the people a bias against a deeply rooted 
and I might add universal military establishment. Ti'ue, this prej- 
udice has been gradually swept away in the great war triumphs of 
our armies and navies that have decked the coronet of our Ooddess 
of Liberty with added gems and created a halo of glory around 
Columbia's fair broAv. 

The Revolutionary War, the War of 1812, the AVar with Mexico, 
and the Civil and Spanish- American Wars unfold pages of history 
on which are recorded in letters of gold the high and honorable 
career of the profession of arms, forcibly illustrated in that galaxy 
of commanders whose chivalric daring and military proAvess liaA^e 
immortalized the heroes of all American wars. 

The career of the American soldier has been and is in sympa- 
thetic touch with the great civic body of the Nation, clearly defined 
in the Spartan virtues of a Washington, illustrated in the philosophy 
of a Hamilton, and depicted in the remarkable amenity of a Monroe, 
and even doAvn to our times indications point to the fact that the 
present laAvmakers of the land are apace with these men in all that 
legislative action can offer for the betterment of the American sol- 
dier and the efficiency of the military establishment. 

These preliminary remarks lead me at this juncture to call up for 
j'our consideration and action H. R. 12827, introduced July 26, 1911, 
in the House of Representatives, by the Hon. Daniel R. Anthony, jr., 
of this committee, the purport of which provides for the discontinu- 
ance of the grade of post noncommissioned staff officer on the active 
list of the Arm}'^, and creating the grade of warrant officer in lieu 
thereof. 

A bill identical with the one just referred to was introduced De- 
cember 11, 1911, in the Senate, under Senate No. 3605, by the Hon. 
Joseph L. Bristow, of Kansas, who is a member of the Senate Com- 
mittee on Military Affairs. 

The beneficiaries and eligibles of this bill are the post noncom- 
missioned staff officers on the active list of the Army and the en- 
listed men who may be promoted to the warrant grade by reason of 
meritorious service and competency. 



IG GRADE OF POST NONCOMMISSIONED STAFF OFFICER. 

It would be difficult, indeed, under existing conditions to propeily 
estimate the arduous labors, intelligence, loyalty, and responsibilities 
of the average post noncommissioned staff officer, whose onerous 
duties and efficiency are prime factors in maintaining the high stand- 
ard of the important branches of the military establishment, nameh\ 
the ordnance, the quartermaster's, and subsistence departments, of 
which they are integi^al parts. 

The measure in question is recognized by military experts to be of 
such a nature as to necessarily increase the efficiency of the Army, 
and its enactment into law was recommended by President Taft in 
1907 while Secretary of War; his recommendations were embodied 
in his annual report to the President for that year. 

The grade of warrant officer would be an intermediary one between 
the noncommissioned and commissioned officer. In this connection 
attention is invited to the fact that when the grade of ordnance 
sergeant was first established it was, by the operation of law, created 
as a distinctive corps between the officers and the enlisted men. logi- 
cally, nay de facto, placing their status identical with that of the 
warrant officers of the Navy at that time; under existing conditions 
the ordnance sergeants are uoav ranked and placed as of the grade of 
post noncommissioned staff officer in the absence, as is seen, of the 
existence by law of the warrant grade, which is not a new idea nor 
innovation, for it is in successful operation in the Ignited States Navy 
and is operating successfully in the British army. 

Referring to the grade of ordnance sergeants under the old system ; 
that is. when first established, the following comparison as to their 
status is conclusive: 

1. Their warrants were signed by the Secretary of War, as was the 
NaA^3' warrant signed by the Secretary of the Navy. 

2. Neither grade could be reduced to the ranks or otherwise de- 
prived of their position. A court-martial could only discharge them 
in case of serious misconduct. 

3. Both grades, ordnance sergeant and post noncommissioned staff 
officer, were accorded separate quarters, and appropriations were 
made specifically for the construction of such quarters distinct from 
those of the enlisted men proper. 

4. Both grades were by laAv empowered to receive and account for 
])roperty in their own names. 

."). Both grades were appointed almost solely on account of merit; 
and there are instances of appointment by Congi'ess to both grades 
for especially uieritorious services. 

6. Both grades were exempt from manual labor. (See Army Eeg- 
ulations. 1881. 1889, and prior issues.) 

It is evident, if we take this comparison at its logical interpreta- 
tion, that the primary object of the creation of this grade was to 
establish an intermediary corps between the officers and the enlisted 
men proper — in other words, a warrant grade — an object which for 
many years has been utterly lost sight of in the Army, while the 
Navy men. with the warrant grade established, have been declared 
commissioned. 

We must consider, too, that the pay of the noncommissioned staff 
remained staticmary from its first establishment until 1908 — a period 



GEADE OF POST NONCOMMISSIONED STAFF OFFICER. 17 

of 60 years. During that time a number of grades were raised to 
or above their level of pay, while new grades were also created with 
the same or higher pay, leaving the pay schedule just before the 
change in 1908 as follows : 



Nameof^rade. ! ^^^^j!! 



New 
grades; pay 
fixed at — 



Master signal electrician j 

Master electrician, Coast Artillery Corps ' 

Engineer, Coast Artillery Corps 

Electrician sergeant, firs"t class. Coast Artillery Corps i 

Electrician sergeant, second class. Coast Artillerj- Corps 

Sergeant major, all arms | S34. 00 

Regimental qnarlermasler sergeant, all arms 34.00 

Regimental commissary sergeant, all arms I 

Master gunner. Coast Artillery Corps 

Sergeant, first class. Signal Corps 



875. 00 
75.00 
r.5. 00 
45.00 
35.00 



34.00 
34.00 
45.00 



Sergeant , Engineers ^ j 34. 00 

Sergeants, Ordnance and Signal Co^s 34. 00 

Battalion quartermaster sergeant. Engineers ! 34. 00 

First sergeant . Engineers . 34. 00 

Chief musician fO. 00 

Sergeant, first class. Hospital Corps ! 45. 00 



In addition he should receive in rations and clothing the same 
allowances or commutation therefor as authorized for the noncom- 
missioned grade from which appointed, and he should be provided 
with separate quarters suitable to the grade. With all, he would 
still be receiving less than the same grade in the Navy, where the 
maximum is $1,800. 

During all these raises and creation of new grades the pay of the 
post noncommissioned staff slumbered peacefully at $34 per month 
until the raise in pay of the entire Army in 1908. Then, in addition 
to all others, the first sergeants of all arms were also raised to the pay 
level of the post noncommissioned staff; but again that old abrade was 
distanced, as its members were debarred from earning additional pay 
for marksmanship or gunnery, which is accorded to all others, except 
the Hospital Corps, who are noncombatants; so, in pay. they stand 
now sixteenth on the list, instead of first, as was the intention of 
Congress originally, as shown by their pay being nearly double that 
of the nearest pay grade among the enlisted men at the time of the 
institution of the grade. 

Eeference to Army Eegulations of 1881 and prior issues shows the 
po,st noncommissioned staff to rank next to the sergeant major. 
(This clearly for tactical reasons only, as evidenced by the great dis- 
parity of their pay at the time, like the battalion sergeant major 
to-day taking precedence in certain formations.) In rank, therefore, 
the post noncommissioned staff lias also been overslaughed, standing 
now sixth in order. 

The foregoing is set forth to shoAV, beyond question, that the origi- 
nal intention of Congress in creating the post noncommissioned staff 
has been lost sight of altogether during the latter 30 years of the exist- 
ence of the grade, and that the policy of a slow, but relentless, process 
of leveling has been persistently followed, by degrees relegating the 
post noncommissioned staff from the preeminent position they were 
intended to hold in the Army. 
• 32514—12 2 



18 GRADE OF POST NONCOMMISSIONED STAFF OFFICEE. 

In this connection President Taft, in his arguments on the subject, 
favored not only the creation of the warrant grade, but recommended 
in his report, while Secretary of War, among other things, that — 

The ])ay of the warrant officer should be $1,000 yearly at the outset, and, 
as in the case of officers, increased 10 per cent for each 5 years' service, to. 
include 20 years. This would nialce tlie maximum pay of tlie warrant officer 
$1,400. * * * 

Therefore there are manj^ reasons Avhy this bill (H. E. 12827) 
should be enacted into law, three of which are primary, namely, 
economy, benefit to the Government, and justice. 

ECONO^MY. 

The act would create 550 warrant officers, and while the bill calls 
for mandatory retirement after 30 years' service, this will create 
more vacancies per year than there are commissions available for 
enlisted men. The bill bars no branch of the service, permitting all 
to compete, under such rules as may be laid down by the War De- 
partment. In the course of a short time only these men would, and 
bhould, be, by virtue of the warrant grade, required to carry and be 
accountable for all returns of pro])erty and stores pertaining to the 
Ordnance, Subsistence, and Quartermaster's Departments at posts 
and stations, relieving, approximately, the same number of commis- 
sioned officers from those duties. While this Avould not immediately 
etfect anj^ saving to the Government, it would do away with the 
necessity for any future increase in the commissioned jjersonnel for 
those duties. 

II. One supply officer only would be required at each post or depot 
to carry all money accounts of the station, as the subordinate 
branches would be competently carried on by the warrant officers 
under his supervision. 

III. At every depot of ordnance, subsistence, and (juartermaster 
supplies at every manufacturing establishment of the Ordnance and 
Quartermaster Departments there are now from one to five or even 
more officers detailed as " assistants " to the officer in charge. So. 
also, at the various division headquarters, especially in the offices of 
the chief quartermasters. All of these officers rank at least as cap- 
tains, many as majors, and some have even higher rank. 

They could, in almost eA^ery instance, be satisfactorily replaced 
by warrant officers, at an almost incak'ulable increase in efficiency 
£nd at about one-fourth the cost. 

IV. It would do aAvay Avith the necessity of high-priced clerks and 
induce such men to enlist Avith the object of gaining Avnrrant ap- 
pointments. This would retain their services for the Army. 

V. The Avarrant officers, on account of not being promoted, could 
be assigned to stations for considerably more jDermanent periods 
than can ever be the case with commissioned officers, thus saving 
large amounts in mileage and other costs of transfers. 

VI. It Avould save the extra pay accorded to officers detailed as 
connnissaries of $100 per year, probably amounting to over $10,000 
annually. 

VII. It Avould save the extra ])ay of mounted officers in many 
cases of present details: A detail as quartermaster, ordnance, or 
connnissary officer Avith its mounted pay. 



GRADE OF POST NONCOMMISSIONED STAFF OFFICER. 19 

VIIT. The increased cost to the Government would be only appar- 
I'nt, for the reason that a saving- of nearl)^ three times the diiference 
in cost would be elfected by the enactment of this hnv. as is shown 
bj'^ the following: 

Present pay nnd allowances of the jiost nonconiniissioned staff, esti- 
mated strength of r)50 men : 

Pay, at $45 per month (base pay only) $297,000 

Ration, at 25 cents per day 4U, 500 

Clothinjj, equipage, equipments, etc. (estimated) 30,000 

Quarters (1 room, at $12 per month) 79,200 

Fuel (at $7 per long ton. hard coal) 29.755 

Light (at 8 cents per 1,000 kilowatt hour) 9,152 

494. ()07 



Proiiosed pay and allowances of warrant officers (550 men) : 

I'ay at $100 per mouth (base pay only) GGO, 000 

Quarters (2 rooms, at $12 per month) 158,400 

Fuel. 2 rooms (at $7 per long ton. hard coal) 71,500 

Light (at 8 cents per 1.000 kilowatt hour) 18, r}04 

908, 204 



Apparent difference 41.3, 597 

Against this apparent increase, the following economies should 
be considered : 

Assuming that only 250 oflicers would gradually be relieved from 
duties as ordnance, commissary, and quartermaster otficers, and 
assuming their pay to average that of first lieutenants : 

250 officers, at $2,300 per year $575,000 

Quarters for same (3 rooms, at $12 per mouth) lOS. 000 

Fuel (at $7 per long ton. hard coal) 38.775 

Light (at S "cents ju-r l.ono kilowatt hour) 12,480 

Pay of 300 clerks, relieved (at a conservative average of $1,400 

per year) 420, 000 

Extra pay to commissaries (estimated) 10,000 

Saving on mounted oflScers' pay (estimated) 20.000 

1, 184, 255 
Deducting from this the increase 413. 597 

Leaves a biilMUce as saving of 770.058 

The longevity pay for that number of otficers and for that of 
the entire j)roposed warrant grade would ])ractically cancel each 
other. Hence in about two years the actual net saving effected by 
the enactment of this law would undoubtedly reach the stun of at 
least $7;")0,000 per anntun. not reckoning incidental savings on mile- 
age, subsistence on transports, hotel bills, cost of crating and trans- 
portation of baggage, etc.. probablv raising the grand total of saving 
effected to $1,000,000 annually. 

BENEFIT TO THE OOVERNMENT. 

I, At a conservative estimate the i)roperty pertaining to the Ord- 
nance, Subsistence, and Quartermaster's Departments amounts to 
over $r)00.000,000 in value. Less than 20 per cent of this is at ar- 
senals and depots, and the balance is scattered among the military 
posts of the United States and its i)ossessions. The safeguarding of 
this enormous property is certainly a fii-st necessity and its eco- 
nomical use of the greatest importance. 



20 GRADE OF POST NONCOMMISSIONED STAFF OFFICEE. 

The enactment of this bill into law Avould unquestionably be a 
great step toward that end. 

II. The proposed warrant officers would remain jiermanently in 
their respective departments and would be detailed to posts and 
depots. Such being the case there would be no necessity to move 
them each time troops are moved, as is now the case with regimental 
officers detailed. These now have to be left behind to turn oA^er the 
property in their charge to officers of the new garrison, probably 
new to such duties. This causes confusion and involves delays often 
for weeks and sometimes even longer. 

III. The enactment of this law w^ould therefore insure unham- 
pered mobility to all officers of mobile or other troops, and thereby 
greatly enhance the effectiveness of their organizations in case of 
need. 

IV. It would create a corps of experts in the various departments 
thoroughly versed in the innumerable details demanded not only in 
the accoxmting for stores and property, but in the practical pro- 
curement, handling, shipment, transportation, storage, and final 
issue of the gigantic quantities of supplies required at posts, depots, 
supply stations, maneuver camps, on transports, and more especially 
in cases of active field service — a corps now utterly lacking in the 
Army. 

V. It Avould insure healthy and keen competition among the en- 
listed men for these positions, and the very best men could thus easily 
be selected for warrant officers. 

VI. It would induce the present force of civilian clerks, who are 
already trained to parts of the work demanded from the Avarrant 
officers, to seek those positions. 

VII. It Avould attract a higher class of men to the service from 
civil life. 

VIII. Although it would effect a saving of approximately a mil- 
lion dollars yearly, the enactment of this law would nevertheless 
doubly increase the efficiency of the three departments concerned, 
while it also Avould considerably increase the mobility of the entire 
Army. 

JUSTICE. 

I. On the first establishment of the grade of post noncommis- 
sioned staff officer (ordnance sergeant) it was entirely synonymous 
Avith the Avarrant grades in the NaA^y at that time, and such was 
evidently the intention of Congress. 

II. Only one increase in pay has been granted this grade in the 
last 60 years or more, Avhile during that time the pay of other 
grades has been doubled and even trebled. New grades have also 
been created with nearly double the present pay of the post non- 
commissioned staff. 

III. No other grade has property responsibility thrust upon it by 
law. 

IV. In the ultimate issue, and with very feAv exceptions, the entire 
appropriations made by Congress for their respective departments 
pass through the hands of these men either in the form of stores, 
property, or funds. 

Thereupon, at 12 o'clock noon, the committee adjourned. 



